Prescribe only Generic Drugs or Face Action: MCI

For any doctor found violating clauses 5 of Ethics Regulation, suitable disciplinary action would be undertaken by the concerned SMC/ MCI.

New Delhi: Taking cue from the recent announcements of the Prime Minister, stressing on prescription of generic drugs by medical practitioners, MCI has come out with a notification highlighting that strict discilplinary action shall fall upon those who do not do so and in the process violate the concerned clauses of the IMC Act.

In a letter written to Deans/ Principals of all the Medical Colleges, Director of all the hospitals (exclusive PG Institutions without medical colleges), Presidents of all the State Medical Councils, Health Secretaies, Director medical education and director health services of all the States, MCI was seen seen highlighting its circulars and amendments on the issue.

The clause 1.5 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 has been amended in 2016 and notified in the Gazette of India on 21.09.2016, which reads as under:-

"1.5 - Use of Generic names of drugs: Every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs."

The apex medical regulator stated that All the Registered Medical Practitioners under the IMC Act are directed to comply with the aforesaid provisions of the Regulations without fail.

For any doctor found violating clause.5 of Ethics Regulation, suitable disciplinary action would be undertaken by the concerned SMC/ MCI.

Authorities have been requested to give wide publicity of the above regulation to ensure that all the doctors practicing medicine under your jurisdiction comply with the regulation with the council reiterating them to take necessary steps for observance of the aforesaid provision of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 in its letter and spirit.

Meghna A Singhania is the founder and Editor-in-Chief at Medical Dialogues. An Economics graduate from Delhi University and a post graduate from London School of Economics and Political Science, her key research interest lies in health economics, and policy making in health and medical sector in the country. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751